Alabama § 28-2A-20 - Ordinance and Referendum to Determine Whether Annexed Territories Should Be Legally Wet.
Full text of Alabama Code of Alabama § 28-2A-20 — Ordinance and Referendum to Determine Whether Annexed Territories Should Be Legally Wet., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 28-2A-20. Ordinance and Referendum to Determine Whether Annexed Territories Should Be Legally Wet.
In addition to the procedure established pursuant to Article 1, the governing body of any Class 1, 2, or 3 municipality or any municipality having a population of 18,500 or more, which is legally wet, and which has previously annexed or hereinafter annexes territory into the municipality which lies in a county which is legally dry, shall, before the annexed territory becomes wet, pass an ordinance calling for a city-wide referendum to be held to determine whether the annexed portions of the municipality shall be legally wet as herein provided. If the governing body of the municipality adopts an ordinance determining that all of the area within the corporate limits of the municipality should be legally wet, and if this decision is approved at a subsequent referendum called to decide this issue, alcoholic beverages may be lawfully sold, distributed, and consumed within the newly annexed portions of corporate limits of the municipality. If a municipality adopts such an ordinance, and if the results of the subsequent referendum are in favor of making the annexed portions of the municipality wet as evidenced by a majority of the electors of the municipality voting in the referendum voting in favor of the proposition, all of the provisions of this title, relating to alcoholic beverages in wet counties, including Chapters 3, 3A, 6, and 7, shall be immediately put into operation with respect to and effective throughout the corporate limits of the municipality. If, however, after the passage of an ordinance, the called referendum shall fail, the annexed portions of the municipality shall remain legally dry, but the vote shall not affect the wet status of those portions of the municipality which were legally wet before the referendum was conducted.
Source: official Alabama text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama § 28-2A-20
What does Code of Alabama § 28-2A-20 cover?
Section 28-2A-20 ("Ordinance and Referendum to Determine Whether Annexed Territories Should Be Legally Wet.") is part of the Code of Alabama, the codified statutory law of Alabama. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Alabama § 28-2A-20?
A common citation format is "Code of Alabama § 28-2A-20" (Alabama). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Alabama law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Alabama official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Alabama attorney.
How does Alabama § 28-2A-20 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Alabama can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Alabama.